Betsimisaraka

(noun)

A group that makes up approximately 15% of the Malagasy people and is the second largest ethnic group in Madagascar after the Merina. They occupy a large stretch of the eastern seaboard of Madagascar, from Mananjary in the south to Antalaha in the north. They have a long history of extensive interaction with European seafarers and traders that produced a significant subset with mixed European-Malagasy origins, termed the zana-malata.

Related Terms

Examples of Betsimisaraka in the following topics:

  • The Kingdoms of Madagascar

    • Like the Sakalava to the west, today's Betsimisaraka are composed of numerous ethnic sub-groups that formed a confederation in the early 18th century.
    • In 1712, he forced the Tsikoa to flee, and was elected king of all the Betsimisaraka and given a new name, Ramaromanompo ("Lord Served by Many") at his capital at Foulpointe.
    • By the time of his death in 1754, his moderate and stabilizing rule had provided nearly forty years of unity among the diverse clans within the Betsimisaraka political union.
    • The fractured Betsimisaraka kingdom was easily colonized in 1817 by Radama I, king of Merina.
    • The subjugation of the Betsimisaraka in the 19th century left the population relatively impoverished.